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Research Publications (Management Sciences)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://ir-dev.dut.ac.za/handle/10321/217

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    Intrinsic motivation and business competences as predictors of small and medium growth : SME owner’s viewpoint
    (2023-05-15) Zondo, Robert Walter Dumisani; Ncube, Thandukwazi Richman
    Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) account for a significant portion of job creation, business growth and economic activity in South Africa. Therefore, sustainable development of SMEs is important for job creation, poverty reduction and economic development. The high failure rate during the first years of SME start-up negatively affects South Africa’s economic development. Hence, this study examines the arbitrating effect of the SME owner’s intrinsic motivation factors and competences on SME growth. These factors include the utilisation of effort for business growth, finding new solutions to business problems aimed at achieving growth, growing business for recognition, the belief to produce the desired outcomes, taking responsibilities for business expansion, the need for advancement, as well as the growth aspiration that enables the business owner to take risks in order to grow the business. This study has generated multifaceted data on the effect of intrinsic motivation factors and competences of SME owner on business growth. The SSPS was used to analyse data obtained from 112 SME owners of the furniture manufacturing organisations operating in the eThekwini District Municipality. The results indicate that intrinsic motivation factors in SME start-ups influences the personality traits in SME owners for small and medium business growth. SME growth depends on the extent SME owners are equipped with business competences to establish and grow their businesses. There is a statistical significant link between business competences and the SME growth motivation. Furthermore, the results indicate that personality traits mediate the relationship between motivational variables for SME start-ups and business growth.
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    Influence of self-motivation and intrinsic motivational factors for small and medium business growth : a South African case study
    (AOSIS, 2018-05-29) Ncube, Thandukwazi R.; Zondo, Robert Walter Dumisani
    Background: This study investigates the influence of intrinsic motivational factors for small and medium enterprise (SME) growth in the eThekwini District Municipality in South Africa (SA). Aim: It examines whether self-motivation of business owners operating in the furniture manufacturing sector has an influence on SME growth. Setting: Of the 127 SMEs operating in the eThekwini District Municipality, 112 participated in the study representing 88% of the target population. Methods: Descriptive, chi-square and correlative analyses were used to test the two objectives. That is, to determine the influence of self-motivation of business owners for SME growth, as well as to establish the intrinsic motivational factors that stimulate creativity for SME growth. Results: The study revealed that the intrinsic motivational factors of business owners do influence SME growth in SA. These factors include exerting effort for business growth interest, finding new solutions to business problems to achieve growth, growing business for recognition, belief to produce the desired outcomes, taking responsibilities for business expansion, the need for advancement, and growth aspiration that enables the business owner to take risks in order to grow the business. Conclusion: The outcome is that a self-motivated business owner has the ability to grow the business. The study provides valuable data relating to intrinsic motivational factors. Such factors are the enablers of creativity and business growth. It provides initial baseline data upon which to base future work.
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    Entrepreneurial attributes responsible for small and medium enterprise growth in South Africa : small and medium enterprise owners’ perspectives
    (International Journal of Special Education, 2022-03-03) Ncube, Thandukwazi Richman; Zondo, Robert Walter Dumisani
    Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) growth has been associated with overall business success and survival. The need to achieve success is the motive to do well and achieve a goal set for growth. Hence, this study examines the attributes embedded in small business owners that are responsible for the growth of SMEs in South Africa. It assesses creativity and entrepreneurial skills as attributes that influence SME growth within small business owners operating in the furniture-manufacturing sector. It was conducted in the eThekwini District Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, in South Africa. Of the 127 SME owners who represented their businesses, 112 participated in the study, representing an 88 per cent participation rate. Correlative analyses were used to test the two objectives, that is, to examine if creativity and the entrepreneurial skills of small business owners have an influence on SME growth. This study reveals that SME success depends on the proper use of entrepreneurial skills for starting and growing the businesses in the early years of establishment. If creativity of SME owners can be enhanced, this will lead to a better support of national goals on job creation for South Africa. The original value of this paper is its approach in uncovering business owner attributes responsible for SME growth within enterprises operating in the furniture sector
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    Critical environmental dynamics : barriers restraining business growth in rural areas of Southern region of KwaZulu-Natal province
    (Business Perspectives, 2016) Lekhanya, Lawrence Mpele; Visser, Kobus
    The study intends to examine the understanding and awareness of environmental dynamics and their implications of rural SMEs in the southern region of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province. The study was conducted within the rural areas of the Southern region of KZN province, using quantitative research methods. The sample for the study consisted of 127 owners/managers of SMEs. The respondents were selected using quota sampling and required to complete a research questionnaire, with an interviewer present to assist. The research instrument consisted of closed-ended questionnaires made up of 5 point Likert scale responses and questionnaires were distributed to five selected areas in rural Southern region of KZN province. The research findings indicate the size of local market is very small to sell their products; poor infrastructure has an impact on their business growth, lack of financial support, as well as tough government regulations, just to mention the few. This study provides both theoretical and practical implications for rural entrepreneurs and policymakers. The study presents a number of recommendations, including a conceptual growth model for rural SMEs.